What is your name?Maggie Szabo
What is your genre of music?
Pop/Soul
Give us a little bio about you.
A soulful Canadian singer who’s won over audiences worldwide, with 13 million views on YouTube, Maggie Szabo comes from small town Ontario and is now an accomplished singer/performer living and working in Los Angeles.
What made you go in to music?
As far back as I can remember, I always knew I wanted make music. When I was three, I decided my dream was to become a singer. Eventually I fell in love with songwriting as well, and as I grew up it became more and more of an obsession for me. I sang wherever I could; at different events and functions in my town, at school, at talent shows. After I graduated from high school I drove to Nashville, got signed to a record label in Canada, then made my move to Los Angeles.
Are you signed?
Independent as of now.
Tell us more about your track ‘Gold’.
Gold is a song I wrote about the fun and excitement of being in love. I compare love to gold because it’s beautiful, valuable, and it’s something everyone wants!
What was the writing process like for ‘Gold’?
I got together with AG, one of the first female writers/producers I have worked with in Los Angeles. I think just that alone made it for a really inspiring session, because I don’t often meet a lot of other female writers/producers. There was a lot of good energy in the room that day, and we were both wanting to write a fun, positive song, and Gold just kind of happened naturally!
Will we see a new EP or Album this year?
I’ve really been having fun releasing singles one at a time because it’s given me the ability to focus on each song as a project; I write it, record it, shoot a music video for it, and share it with the world! I definitely want the singles I’ve been releasing to be included on an album, so I see that happening very soon.
You Feature on the upcoming Album of Dj Schiller, what was that like?
Schiller was an amazing artist to work with. He’s from Germany, and he happened to be in the audience at an event I was performing at in Los Angeles. Once he introduced himself, we started working together and that’s really how the collaboration began. His style of music is something I hadn’t really dipped my toes into before, so it was super fresh and exciting for me. I learned a lot from working with him, and I grew such a big appreciation for that kind of music.
What was it like to work with producer AG?
Everytime I am in the studio with AG, I love all the girl power that’s happening! I mentioned before, I don’t get very many opportunities to work with females in this biz, so that definitely added a new layer to our collaboration. She has such an amazing ear for unique melodies, production elements and I love her musical intuition.
Do you play any instruments?
I play a bit of piano, guitar, and alto sax:)
Who are your influences?
There are a lot of them! Carole King, Etta James, Eva Cassidy, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, and Tracy Chapman are some good ones. Carole King is probably one of my biggest role models because I love her songwriting, and love her as an artist as well. I admire the fact that she is so good at writing songs for other artists also.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
I get inspired from real life; of course what I’m going through is something I draw from a lot, but sometimes when I am really feeling for what someone else is going through, I get inspired by that too.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Working on new music and touring:) The cycle never stops!
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I love fitness. I work out everyday because it clears my mind and it really gets my day going. I’m from Canada, and am super close with my family, so I’m on the phone with my parents everyday too! That keeps me busy:) I also love watching documentaries.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Natural Woman.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
As a kid, someone once told me “The music business is so hard, and nobody will ever make it unless they work their a** off. You have to be willing to give up everything in your life for music. If you can’t say that you would be willing to do that, you’re wasting your time.”
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Probably that same advice someone told me:)
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Don’t be afraid of failure.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
There’s this really cute coffee shop downtown Dundas called Detour that I love to go to when I’m back home:)
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Room temperature water. Touch-up make up. Hairspray. My mic stand. My microphone:)
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Yes, please do.
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